Quirky London Restaurants

Sketch turns eating and drinking into a whole new experience. The hardest part is choosing between the elegant high-ceilinged Lecture Room restaurant, the woodland-themed lunchtime-only Glade or the brasserie-style Gallery, which shows videos by day. Each offers uniquely unusual decor and delicious dining.

A restaurant with all the atmosphere of a swanky nightclub, Hakkasan's moody indigo lighting and authentic Chinese decor are as exciting as the food. The only Chinese restaurant in London to be awarded a Michelin star, Hakkasan serves modern Cantonese delights at dark, discreet tables. Be sure to try the Ling Ling bar's famous cocktails.

One of London's most opulent restaurants, Pearl is decorated with more than a million hand-strung pearls. The delicate French food, created by critically-acclaimed executive chef, Jun Tanaka, combined with the extensive wine list and inventive cocktails combine to make it the place to wine, dine and impress.

A truly unique experience in the heart of Camden's Stables Market, Gilgamesh is a cavernous pan-Asian restaurant decorated to resemble a Babylonian palace. There's a fully retractable roof for 'outside dining' when it's sunny. Don't miss a drink at the amazing blue lapis lazuli stone bar, which was hand carved in India.

Eating out doesn't get much grander than Shaka Zulu in the heart of Camden's Stables Market. The vibrant décor includes marble bars, carved wooden murals, beaded seats and a 30ft hand-cast bronze statue. There's a seafood and oyster bar, as well as a South African Braai restaurant.

A genuine one-off, Les Trois Garcons is a converted pub turned ultra-deluxe French bistro, full of an eclectic blend outrageous objects. Marvel at the incredible antiques and stuffed animals while you dine on delicious Anglo-French food. Popular with A-listers, look out for the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Nicole Kidman and Liz Hurley.

For uber-chic, stunningly modern interiors and two restaurants in one, head to Aqua London. Aqua Nueva serves contemporary Spanish dishes, while Aqua Kyoto is the epitome of Japanese cool. On the fifth floor of the former Dickins & Jones building on Argyle Street, the views from the terraces are amazing, too.

A maze of rooms connected by walkways, tunnels, bridges and staircases, eating at Beach Blanket Babylon is like stepping into a Georgian English manor house crossed with a French chateau. Tuck into seasonal, modern-European food while marvelling at the vintage furnishings, imposing statues and all-round extraordinary decor.     

Go wild at Rainforest Café, where you can expect to see (or hear!) waterfalls, thunder and lightning, rain showers, mist, wild animals and real tropical fish. The American and tropical cuisine reflects the exotic setting. Perfect for family meals and children's birthday parties, dishes include Maya's meatballs and banana boat split.